The paper predicts all parties will see a rise in their female
parliamentarians, excepting the Liberal Democrats, which will see
a drop. The party expects to lose half of its 57 seats, leaving
them with one female MP and 26 men.

At 23 percent, the UK’s current percentage of female MPs is lower
than other European countries: France (26 percent), Germany (37
percent), the Netherlands (39percent), Belgium (39percent) and Spain (40percent).

All too aware of the dearth of female political representation,
comedian Sandi Toksvig revealed this week that she was quitting
BBC Radio 4's News Quiz to set up a new political party. The
‘Women's Equality Party’ will consist of both men and women.

The party’s aims are to assure that women have equal
representation in politics and the boardroom, equal pay, equal
parenting rights, equality and quality of education, and equal
treatment by and in the media. It also calls for an end to
violence against women.

“Most of the mainstream parties seem to treat women’s issues
as if we were a minority group rather than, in fact, what we are,
which is the majority of the country,” Toksvig said.

Although they are not fielding candidates this year, they are
planning on doing so in the next election.